Martin ,
when I changed from a motorhome to the caravan last year I was talking to the dealer about my options for a towcar.
At the time they were the ML and Disco3. He said the Disco3 was better than the ML (personal choice maybe) but he did also recommend that if I went for the ML to try and get one with the sports suspension or larger alloys and this helped the handling
He was sort of right , I didn't (mine had 17inch alloys) and as I posted earlier the ride was very bouncy.
In contrast my Freelander 2 has the larger 19inch alloys and it does seem a better ride (OK not like for like but I've had 2 Freebie 1s , one had 17in the other 19in and the ride was different and they were identical cars)
Others may well counter this but the implied reason for larger alloys is that the tyre side walls are shorter and therefore offer less flex when put under sideways forces , thus a surer ride , dont know but worth considering.
Finally dont be swayed by reliability comments , believe me all cars breakdown and you'd be surprised how some can be BIG breakdowns. Yes early Landrovers appear to have reliability issues but I work in the recovery industry and ALL brands are the same even the so called reliable Japanese and Korean offerings and the German brands are appaling to be frank.
Knowing what I do , if reliability was a deciding factor I'd buy a push bike or walk.
I'm on my 3rd Landrover , my friend is also about to go into his 3rd and colleagues at work also are staunch LR owners for years and not one has had any breakdowns.
The Merc is a good car and if it pushes your buttons then go for it
when I changed from a motorhome to the caravan last year I was talking to the dealer about my options for a towcar.
At the time they were the ML and Disco3. He said the Disco3 was better than the ML (personal choice maybe) but he did also recommend that if I went for the ML to try and get one with the sports suspension or larger alloys and this helped the handling
He was sort of right , I didn't (mine had 17inch alloys) and as I posted earlier the ride was very bouncy.
In contrast my Freelander 2 has the larger 19inch alloys and it does seem a better ride (OK not like for like but I've had 2 Freebie 1s , one had 17in the other 19in and the ride was different and they were identical cars)
Others may well counter this but the implied reason for larger alloys is that the tyre side walls are shorter and therefore offer less flex when put under sideways forces , thus a surer ride , dont know but worth considering.
Finally dont be swayed by reliability comments , believe me all cars breakdown and you'd be surprised how some can be BIG breakdowns. Yes early Landrovers appear to have reliability issues but I work in the recovery industry and ALL brands are the same even the so called reliable Japanese and Korean offerings and the German brands are appaling to be frank.
Knowing what I do , if reliability was a deciding factor I'd buy a push bike or walk.
I'm on my 3rd Landrover , my friend is also about to go into his 3rd and colleagues at work also are staunch LR owners for years and not one has had any breakdowns.
The Merc is a good car and if it pushes your buttons then go for it